Coach Yongi's Journey from Khayelitsha to Self-Discovery

Coach Yongi

Pronoun: she/they

Home: Khayelitsha Makhaza**

Favorite Sport: Soccer and touch rugby

How do you tailor your coaching methods to accommodate different learning styles and abilities?

I would say that my coaching style is ensure that am open book that like to learn new skills and improve being a coach overall.

What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as a coach, and how have you overcome them?

Being misunderstood. I’ve learned to create boundaries and focus on self-respect. You can't change how people see you, so it's important to accept that and stay true to yourself.

What advice do you give to your students about maintaining their mental health and well-being?

I'd tell them to talk things out with someone they trust because keeping stuff bottled up only makes it worse. And it's okay to feel whatever you're feeling—just let yourself go through it. You gotta feel it to heal it, so don't push your emotions away.

**Khayelitsha is a small and impoverished township in the southern border of Cape Town, South Africa. Many students from these regions lack access to essential mental health support and a positive community that fosters personal development. Like Yongi, our students face similar disadvantages, but Yongi's journey is a testament to the power of resilience. Together, we can thrive as a community and build a brighter future for our students as we Tackle Trauma Together!